§ Lord Clement-Jonesasked Her Majesty's Government:
What assessment they have made of the prevalence and incidence of actinic keratosis in England. [HL3041]
§ Lord WarnerInformation is not held centrally on the prevalence and incidence of actinic keratosis in England. The National Radiological Protection Board published its report on theHealth Effects from Ultraviolet Radiation in 2002 (ISBN 0–85951–475–7). Copies are available in the Library. The report explains that Australian studies on actinic keratosis suggest that less than 1 per cent of such lesions progress to invasive squamous cell carcinoma per year and some of these cases may regress if ultraviolet sunlight is avoided. Some patients with multiple actinic keratosis may go on to develop squamous cell carcinoma.
Cancer Research UK has been commissioned by the United Kingdom health departments to provide the SunSmart sun awareness campaign for the next three years. Cancer Research UK has distributed a poster of photographs to all general practitioners and practice nurses to assist in its identification showing among other skin cancer lesions, actinic keratosis. The ultraviolet collaborative stakeholders group will continue to consider all issues of health concern relating to the ultraviolet radiation.